When I'm Gone(38)

I glanced down at Reese, who was holding on to my arm tightly. She was wearing a bikini under her sundress, and I could see the straps peeking out. Swimsuits were the suggested attire. After the groundbreaking ceremony for Tripp’s brand-new five-star hotel, everyone was moving to the Kerrington Club pool, which was more like a tropical island with waterfalls and palm trees.

“It seems like my wife can get you to do her bidding, too,” Grant Carter said with a smirk, as he walked up to us. “Hello, Reese. Glad to see my brother-in-law has good taste.”

“Hello, Mr. Carter,” she said, her voice giving away how nervous she was.

Grant frowned. “You’re dating Mase and having cookie breaks with my wife. You can call me Grant. Please.” He turned his attention back to me. “You staying in town long?”

Reese tensed beside me but only for a second. If I wasn’t so attuned to her every move, I would have missed it. “I have to leave tomorrow. I left things in a bit of a mess,” I admitted.

Grant chuckled, and his eyes flicked over to my left. “Yeah, I hear you swooped in and stole Thad’s date for the night. He’s currently drinking heavily and has a woman on each arm. So he’s recovering.”

I didn’t even bother looking. I didn’t doubt Grant for a second. “Where’s Harlow?” I asked, changing the subject.

“She’s feeding Lila Kate. I offered to do it, but she said I was the one who needed to be out here showing my face, not her.”

“I have to say, I like the relaxed atmosphere. I’m not sure Harlow could have gotten me to come if this were formal.”

Grant chuckled like he didn’t believe me.

A server appeared with a tray of champagne flutes. I took two and handed one to Reese. “You thirsty?”

She grinned and looked at the glass, then at me. “What is it?”

“Champagne,” I replied, unable to take my eyes off her face. Every expression she made was something I wanted to etch into my memory.

“I’ve never had champagne before,” she said softly.

“I think you’ll like it. Just take a small sip.”

She placed the glass to her lips, and her eyes stayed locked on me as she tasted the blush-colored drink. Her eyes lit with pleasure and excitement. She liked it. And watching her experience it was fucking amazing. It was just a drink, but she made everything an adventure. “It’s really good. It tickles my nose.”

There were several places I wanted to tickle her. But I kept that thought to myself. Glancing over, I realized I’d forgotten about Grant, but he’d moved on from us anyway.

“Hello, I’m Della. You must be Reese.”

I turned back around to see Della Kerrington, Woods’s wife, smiling at Reese. Della was a nice person. I felt safe with her approaching Reese. She hadn’t come from this world, either, although she was now the wife of the owner of the Kerrington Club.

“Yes, I am. It’s nice to meet you,” Reese said, with less nerves this time. It seemed to be only men who made her withdraw.

“It’s lovely to meet you, too. I’ve heard so many good things about you from Harlow.”

Reese’s eyes went wide, and she glanced over at me quickly before smiling back at Della. “Oh. Well, I enjoy working for Mrs. Carter. They’re a really nice family.”

Harlow would hate that Reese still felt she had to call her Mrs. Carter. I didn’t correct her, though, although I could see the confusion flash in Della’s eyes. She wasn’t expecting Reese to be so formal about her relationship with my sister.

“Yes, they are,” Della said, smiling. “I look forward to seeing more of you in the future.” She gave me a knowing glance. “You two enjoy yourselves. I’ve got to go rescue my husband from Mr. Hobes. If you’ll excuse me.” She hurried toward Woods, who was listening to an older man talk and looking like he’d rather be anywhere else.

“She’s beautiful,” Reese said, as she watched Della walk away.

“I didn’t notice,” I replied, then tugged her closer to me. Thad was headed our way with his two dates, one on each side. I wasn’t sure what his plan was, but I wasn’t letting him say or do anything to embarrass Reese.

He also needed to understand: she was mine.

Thad’s hair was tucked behind his ears, and his eyes weren’t glassy or bloodshot from too much drink. The girls at his side were already in their bikinis. They had forgone the cover-ups or dresses, unlike everyone else.

Reese’s hand tightened on my arm the second she noticed him. I tucked her against me and leveled a warning glare at Thad. He just grinned at me as if I was overreacting.